Having a valid driver’s license is of the highest importance to many people, as they rely on being able to legally operate motor vehicles for both recreational and occupational purposes. People who do not have a valid driver’s license can be forced to rely on public transportation or friends and family to meet their transportation needs, which can be a major inconvenience.

However, having a valid driver’s license is a privilege, not a right, and it can be taken away if you do certain things. Below are some of the top ways to get your driver's license suspended.

Accumulating Too Many Points

Point systems exist in most states in the U.S. The way that these point systems work is that people who commit traffic violations and driving offenses accumulate points. You can accumulate points for things like speeding tickets, driving through red lights, parking violations, etc. If you accumulate too many points within a specific amount of time, then your license may be suspended.

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Committing Major Offenses

Certain driving offenses can lead to an automatic suspension of your driver’s license. These offenses can include driving under the influence (DUI), vehicular manslaughter, fleeing from an accident scene or running away from the police while they are trying to pull you over. Each state has different specifications about which major offenses can lead to an immediate license suspension, and for the length of the suspension, but all of these offenses are very commonly selected by states for immediate license suspension.

Committing Repeat Offenses

Repeat offenses are definitely something that can result in a driver’s license suspension. The more repeat driving offenses that you have in a certain period of time, the higher that your chances can be for getting your driver’s license suspended. Repeat offenses can include things like getting multiple speeding tickets in a month for driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit, getting multiple DUI charges, etc.

Driving Without Insurance

In order to legally operate a vehicle in the United States, you will need to have auto insurance. There are many insurance companies that sell auto insurance in the country, so the excuse of “I couldn’t find an auto policy,” will not work. Although the police may not check your proof of insurance if you are pulled over, a lack of insurance will definitely be discovered if you are involved in an accident. So, make sure you never drive unless you are insured.

Failing to Appear in Court or to Pay Fines

If you fail to appear in court or to pay fines that you owe to the government, then this is another way to get your license suspended. So, for example, if you owe the government $2,000 in parking fines and you are summoned to the court to pay these fines, and if you don’t show up for your court date, then you could have your license taken away. As with child support payments, it will typically be necessary for you to pay what you owe before you can have your license reinstated.

Failing to Pay Child Support

If you are obligated to pay child support, and if you fail to do so, then you can be punished by the government by having your license suspended. In such a situation, you would typically have to pay the owed child support payments to the person in order to get your license "unsuspended." To prevent your license from being suspended, you should make sure that you are always caught up on your child support payments if you are someone who has to pay them.

***Unless you want to face a major inconvenience in your life, you should try to avoid getting your license suspended. The best way to avoid getting your license suspended is to follow traffic laws and to not participate in risky driving behavior. Also, if you are fined, or if you owe money to the government or to your ex for child support, then you should be sure to pay on time. If you don’t, then you could find yourself without a valid license and taking the bus for the foreseeable future.

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Justipedia was founded by Internet veterans Cory Janssen and Mitchell Allen. Janssen founded Investopedia.com and grew it one of the largest investing sites on the Web. Allen is an author, speaker and the founder of LeadRival, the leading provider of pay-per-action advertising in consumer legal services.